Household refrigeration appliance comprising a water and/or ice-dispenser

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) having a thermally-insulated housing ( 2 ), a door leaf ( 3 ) disposed pivotably on the housing ( 2 ) with an inner side and an outer side ( 3   a ) which, when the door leaf ( 3 ) is closed, delimit a refrigeration compartment. The household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) comprises a water and/or ice dispenser ( 7 ) with a water or ice output ( 8 ), which is disposed behind the outer side ( 3   a ) of the door leaf ( 3 ) in or on the door leaf ( 3 ), a cover ( 10 ) which is intended to cover the water or ice output ( 8 ) in a first position and to reveal the water or ice output ( 8 ) in a second position, drive means ( 15 ) coupled to the cover ( 10 ), which is configured to move the cover ( 10 ) between the two positions, and a proximity sensor ( 13 ). The household refrigeration appliance ( 1 ) is configured, as a result of signals generated by the proximity sensor ( 13 ), to automatically move the cover ( 10 ) between the two positions by means of the drive means ( 15 ).

The invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance comprising a water and/or ice dispenser.

WO 2010/112292 A2 discloses a household refrigeration appliance comprising a water dispenser and/or ice dispenser, the water or ice output of which is disposed behind the outer side of the door leaf in or on the door leaf. A cover is provided in the outer side of the door leaf, which is able to be moved at least partly into the door leaf in order to provide access to the output. The surface of the outer side of the cover, in its non-moved-in state, runs flush with the surface of the outer side of the door leaf. The household refrigeration appliance has a pressure sensor, as a result of the actuation of which the output opens.

The object of the invention is to specify an easier-to-use household refrigeration appliance with a water dispenser and/or an ice dispenser, the water and/or ice output of which is disposed behind the outer side of the door leaf in or on the door leaf, wherein a cover, which covers the output, is provided in the outer side of the door leaf.

The object of the invention is achieved by a household refrigeration appliance having a thermally-insulated housing, a door leaf disposed pivotably on the housing with an inner side and an outer side, which delimit a refrigeration space when the door leaf is closed, a water and/or ice dispenser with a water and/or ice output which is disposed behind the outer side of the door leaf in or on the door leaf, a cover which is provided to cover the water and/or ice output in a first position, and to reveal the water or ice output in a second position, drive means coupled to the cover which are configured to move the cover between the two positions, and a proximity sensor, wherein the household refrigeration appliance is configured, on the basis of signals generated by the proximity sensor, to move the cover automatically between the two positions by means of the drive means.

The inventive household refrigeration appliance is a household refrigerator, a household freezer or a fridge-freezer for example. The inventive household refrigeration appliance therefore, in the generally known manner, has the thermally-insulated housing, against which the door leaf is closed in order to close off the refrigeration space or provide access to it. The inventive household refrigeration appliance especially comprises a refrigerant circuit for cooling the refrigeration space known in principle to the person skilled in the art. The inventive household refrigeration appliance can also have a control facility which controls the refrigerant circuit in a way known in principle to the person skilled in the art, so that the refrigeration space, at least approximately, has a predetermined target temperature. The refrigeration space is intended for the storage of refrigerated goods.

The inventive household refrigeration device also includes the ice maker or ice dispenser and/or the water dispenser, wherein the water or the ice output is disposed especially in the door leaf behind its outer side. The water or ice output is intended for withdrawing water or ice from the water or ice dispenser.

In order to make this output for withdrawing water or ice accessible, especially from outside the household refrigeration appliance, in accordance with the invention the outer side of the door leaf has the cover which is especially disposed below the output and in its first position covers the water or ice output. This provides opportunities for giving the front of the inventive household refrigeration appliance a uniform design. In its second position the cover reveals the water or ice output, so that a person can withdraw water or ice from the corresponding output.

Furthermore the inventive household refrigeration appliance includes the drive means coupled to the cover, which automatically moves the cover back and forth between the two positions. In accordance with the invention the household appliance also includes the proximity sensor, as a result of the signals of which the drive means are activated automatically in order to move the cover. The proximity sensor is a distance sensor for example, so that, by means of the proximity sensor, the household refrigeration appliance detects for example when a person presents a vessel, e.g. a water glass, to the household refrigeration appliance in order to withdraw water or ice. Because of the proximity sensor it is now possible for the inventive household refrigeration appliance to recognize that the vessel is being presented, in order to automatically uncover the water or ice output by the drive means automatically moving the cover from its first position into its second position. The drive means is typically an actuator, for example an electric motor.

The proximity sensor of the inventive household refrigeration appliance is preferably disposed in or on the cover. This makes it possible to better decide whether for example the vessel is coming towards the water or ice output or whether a person is merely walking past the inventive household refrigeration appliance. This enables it to be made possible for the cover, where possible, only to move automatically when a person wishes to withdraw water or ice.

In accordance with a variant of the inventive household refrigeration appliance there is provision for the signals generated by the proximity sensor to be dependent on a distance of an object from the cover, so that the household refrigeration appliance automatically moves the cover by means of the drive means from its first position into its second position if the distance is less than a minimum distance, and moves it from its second position into its first position if the distance exceeds the minimum distance again. In combination with the arrangement of the proximity sensor in or on the cover in particular, in accordance with this variant it can be ensured where possible that the household refrigeration appliance only opens the cover, i.e. moves said cover automatically into its second position, if an object, e.g. the vessel is at less than the minimum distance from the cover. This enables the danger to be reduced of the cover moving automatically although no water or ice is to be withdrawn.

In order to obtain the most attractive overall surface of the door leaf possible, preferably the surface of the outer side of the cover in its first position can run flush with the overall surface of the door leaf. This makes possible a planar integration of the water or ice output in relation to the outer door surface. The water or ice output can consequently be designed fully-integrated, wherein functionality of the water or ice output might merely be able to be represented by a joint resulting from the cover in a relatively high-quality door material.

An improved integration of the water or ice output is made possible in accordance with a variant of the inventive household refrigeration appliance if the materials of at least the outer sides (visible surfaces) of the cover and of the door leaf are the same.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventive household refrigeration appliance the cover is embodied as a flap which is supported so as to be pivotable in relation to a pivot axis and is able to be pivoted at least partly into the door leaf in relation to the pivot axis by means of the drive means for its second setting. The pivot axis runs horizontally, especially in the lower area of the cover embodied as a flap.

The cover, however, can also be able to be moved by means of the drive means, for its second setting, at least approximately in parallel to the surface of the outer side of the door leaf, into its inner space.

In accordance with a further variant of the inventive household refrigeration appliance, said appliance is embodied such that the cover is embodied as a sliding door and the drive means slides the door sideways, upwards or downwards so that the cover embodied as a sliding door assumes its second position. Preferably the drive means slides the cover embodied as a sliding door behind the outer side of the door leaf so that the cover embodied as a sliding door assumes its second position.

Depending on the form of embodiment of the inventive household refrigeration appliance, an “interactive dispenser”, i.e. an interactive water and/or ice output is produced. In particular, depending on the form of embodiment, the inventive household refrigeration appliance makes possible an integration of a water and/or ice dispenser into an especially flat refrigerator front and possibly a context-related interaction with the user when they withdraw water, ice or crushed ice.

Water or ice outputs are generally let into the front of the refrigerators (door leaves of the household refrigeration appliances) as recesses, into which the user then places their glass to be filled, in order to then withdraw water, ice or crushed ice.

The inventive household refrigeration appliance comprises the cover, which is designed as a flap for example, which is preferably especially integrated to form a flat profile flush with the refrigerator front (door leaf of the household refrigeration appliance) and in its first position covers this recess, generally the water or ice output. As soon as the user for example approaches the cover with a glass, the cover opens by means of the proximity sensor in that said cover is moved into its second position and reveals the water or ice output. The user can now withdraw water, ice or crushed ice. If the user moves away with their glass from the household refrigeration appliance, the flap, generally the cover, is automatically closed again, i.e. is moved back into its first position.

A typical exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the enclosed schematic diagrams, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a household refrigeration appliance with a cover,

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the cover, and

FIGS. 3, 4 show different pivot states of a cover embodied as a flap.

FIG. 1 shows a fridge-freezer as an example of a household refrigeration appliance 1, having a thermally-insulated housing 2 and two door leaves 3, 4 closing against the housing 2, of which the door leaf 3 closes off a refrigeration space delimited by the housing 2 and the door leaf 4 closes off a freezer space delimited by the housing 2, depending on the position of the door leaves 3, 4, or reveals said spaces, for the loading or unloading of refrigerated goods or frozen goods for example.

In the present exemplary embodiment the household refrigeration appliance 1 also has a number of drawers 5, which can be pulled out of the housing 2 and are likewise designed for refrigerating or freezing stored refrigerated goods.

The household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises at least one refrigerant circuit 6 essentially known to the person skilled in the art which is configured to cool the drawers 5, the refrigeration space able to be closed off by means of the door leaf 3 and the freezer space able to be closed off by the door leaf 4 in a generally known way, e.g. with the assistance of control electronics not shown in any greater detail but likewise familiar to the person skilled in the art.

The door leaves 3, 4 each have an inner side (inner skin) oriented in the direction of the freezer compartment or the fridge compartment, an outer side (outer skin) 3 a oriented outwards 3 a and thermal insulation disposed between the inner side and the outer side 3 a, e.g. in the form of an insulating foam.

In the present exemplary embodiment the household refrigeration device 1 has a water dispenser 7, of which the water output is disposed inside the door leaf 3, especially behind the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3. The water output 8 in the present exemplary embodiment has a dispenser valve 9, which, when opened, allows water to be withdrawn from the water output 8. The water output is 8 is disposed in a cavity 12, e.g. a niche or recess behind the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3.

In the present exemplary embodiment a cover 10 shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 is disposed below the water output 8 in the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3. The cover 10 is a rectangular design for example, wherein the outer side (visible surface) 10 a of the cover 10 is preferably manufactured from the same material as the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3. Furthermore the cover 10 is especially disposed in the door leaf 3 such that its outer side 10 a runs flush with the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3, as is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. In the present exemplary embodiment the cover 10 is designed as a flap 10 b.

In the present exemplary embodiment the cover 10 designed as a flap 10 b is supported to enable it to pivot in relation to a pivot axis 11 running horizontally in the lower area of the flap 10 b. Because of the pivotable support it is possible to pivot the flap 10 b into the inside of the door leaf 3. FIG. 4 shows a part of the household refrigeration appliance 1 with the flap 10 b pivoted into the inside of the door leaf 3, which provides access to the water output 8.

In the present exemplary embodiment there is provision for the cover 10 to automatically provide access the water output 8. For this purpose the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a distance sensor or a proximity sensor 13, which is preferably disposed on or in the cover 10, especially on or respectively in the flap 10 b.

The proximity sensor 13 is for example designed such that it generates a signal as soon as an object, e.g. a glass or beaker, approaches the household refrigeration appliance 1, especially the cover 10 or the flap 10 b. In particular the proximity sensor 13 generates the signal when the object is closer than a predetermined minimum distance from the cover 10 or from the flap 10 b.

In the present exemplary embodiment the proximity sensor 13 is connected to a control facility 14 of the household refrigeration appliance 1, which evaluates the signal generated by the proximity sensor 13 and, depending on this evaluation, activates an actuator of the household refrigeration appliance 1, e.g. an electric motor 15, which, as a function of the activation by the control facility 14, moves the cover 10 such that this provides access to the water output 7. Preferably the electric motor 15 moves the cover 10 into the inside of the door leaf 3 or into the cavity 12 respectively.

If an object is no longer in the vicinity of the household refrigeration appliance 1 or in the vicinity of the cover 10 or the flap 10 b, the control facility 14 activates the electric motor 15 as a function of the signals of the proximity sensor 13 such that the cover 10 or the flap 10 b closes the water output 7 again, especially closes it such that the outer sides 3 a, 10 a of the door leaf 3 and the cover 10 are flush with one another.

In the case of the flap 10 b supported in relation to the pivot axis 11, the electric motor 15, controlled by the control facility 14, pivots the flap 10 b into the inside of the door leaf 3 as soon as the object moves closer than the minimum distance from the flap 10 b, and pivots the flap 10 b back out when the object is removed.

The cover 10 can also be supported such that the electric motor 15 moves the cover 10 at least approximately parallel to the surface of the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3, inside said leaf, in order to make the water output 8 accessible.

The cover 10 can for example also be embodied as a sliding door, which the electric motor 15 automatically slides sideways, upwards or downwards when an object approaches the sliding door, in order to provide access to the water output 8. Preferably the sliding door is moved behind the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3. It can, however, also be moved in front of the outer side 3 a of the door leaf 3.

In FIGS. 1 to 4 a water dispenser 7 with a water output 8 has been shown. Instead of the water dispenser 7 or in addition to the water dispenser 7 an ice dispenser with a corresponding ice output can also be provided, which for example is disposed in the door leaf 4 of the freezer compartment, wherein the door leaf 4 is provided with a cover corresponding to the cover 10 in order to make the ice output accessible.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1 Household refrigeration appliance

2 Housing

3 Door leaf

3 a Outer side

4 Door leaf

5 Drawers

6 Refrigerant circuit

7 Water dispenser

8 Water output

9 Dispenser valve

10 Cover

10 a Outer side

10 b Flap

11 Pivot axis

12 Cavity

13 Proximity sensor

14 Control facility

15 Electric motor 

1. A household refrigeration appliance, having a thermally-insulated housing (2), a door leaf (3) disposed pivotably on the housing (2) with an inner side and an outer side (3 a) which, when the door leaf (3) is closed, delimit a refrigeration compartment, a water and/or ice dispenser (7) with a water or ice output (8), which is disposed behind the outer side (3 a) of the door leaf (3) in or on the door leaf (3), a cover (10) which is intended to cover the water or ice output (8) in a first position and to reveal the water or ice output (8) in a second position and drive means (15) coupled to the cover (10), which are configured to move the cover (10) between the two positions, characterized by a proximity sensor (13), wherein the household refrigeration appliance (1) is configured, as a result of signals generated by the proximity sensor (13) to automatically move the cover (10) between the two positions by means of the drive means (15).
 2. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor (13) is disposed in or on the cover (10).
 3. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signals generated by the proximity sensor (13) are dependent on a distance of an object from the cover (10), so that the household refrigeration appliance (1) automatically moves the cover (10) by means of the drive means (15) from its first position into its second position if the distance is less than a minimum distance, and from its second position into its first position when the distance exceeds the minimum distance again.
 4. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of the outer side (10 a) of the cover (10), in its first position, runs flush with the surface of the outer side (3 a) of the door leaf (3).
 5. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the materials of at least the outer sides (3 a, 10 a) of the cover (10) and the door leaf (3) are the same.
 6. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (10) is embodied as a flap (10 b), which is supported pivotably in relation to a pivot axis (11) running horizontally, especially in its lower area, and in relation to the pivot axis (11) is able to be pivoted automatically by means of the drive means (15) at least partly into the door leaf (3).
 7. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (10) is able to be moved automatically by means of the drive means (15), for its second position, at least approximately in parallel to the surface of the outer side (3 a) of the door leaf (3), into its inner space.
 8. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (10) is embodied as a sliding door, and the drive means (15) slides the sliding door sideways, upwards or downwards, so that the cover (10) embodied as a sliding door assumes its second position.
 9. The household refrigeration appliance as claimed in claim 8, wherein the drive means (15) slides the cover (10) embodied as a sliding door behind the outer side (3 a) of the door leaf (3), so that the cover (10) embodied as a sliding door assumes its second position. 